Despite an overall improved performance in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), a total of 64,251 students will not be able to enroll for secondary education.
According to the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), 64,251 failed to get the required aggregates to enroll to senior one.
Results indicates that the overall performance has improved, with 722,730 candidates successfully passing the exams, a significant rise from the 648,662 in 2023.
Results released on January 23, 2025 at Nakasero State Lodge, show that 84,301 candidates passed in Division 1, which accounts for 10.7% of all examinees.
Division 2 had the highest number of successful candidates at 397,589, followed by 165,284 in Division 3 and 75,556 in Division 4.
In total, 91.8% of candidates passed the 2024 exams, showing a commendable increase from last year’s 88%.
Although there was a slight drop in the number of students attaining Division 1 compared to 2023, the performance in higher divisions, especially Division 2 and above, has seen an upward trend.
The results also highlighted a gender gap, with male candidates achieving better results and exhibiting a lower failure rate.
Conversely, more female candidates were found in Division 2 and lower divisions, indicating that a greater number of girls participated in the exams this year.
The UNEB Executive Director, Dan Odong said the overall improvement in performance highlights a positive trend in education, showcasing resilience in the face of challenges.
He noted that the results underline the importance of maintaining and enhancing the quality of education for all students nationwide.
In her remarks, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, revealed that the selection process for Senior One students is scheduled for January 30 and 31, 2025.
She also shared that the inaugural term for the new Senior One class will begin on February 17, 2025.
Results indicate that 71 candidates were registered at the Uganda Government Upper Prison School in Luzira, an increase from 69 in 2023.
Out of these, 59 wrote exams, with 4 passing in Division 1, 36 in Division 2, 13 in Division 3, and 6 in Division 4.
At Mbarara Main Prison Inmates Primary School, all 37 registered candidates took the exams, resulting in 4 securing Division 1, 20 in Division 2, 10 in Division 3, and 3 in Division 4. Notably, no candidates from either institution received ungraded results. The UNEB boss praised the candidates for their determination and success despite the obstacles present in correctional environments.
Additionally, among the 3,328 special needs learners who sat for exams, 181 achieved Division 1, 713 earned Division 2, 627 received Division 3, and 371 were placed in Division 4, while 388 were ungraded and 48 were absent.
Odongo raised alarms about unethical practices in certain schools that take advantage of the special needs classification.
He pointed out a troubling trend where some institutions register typically healthy students as special needs candidates misclassifying students under the category of ‘Others’, including those with conditions like Asthma, Epilepsy, and Sickle Cell anemia.
While releasing the results, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni announced that the selection of Senior One students will take place on January 30 and 31, 2025.
He also announced that the first term for the new Senior One cohort will commence on February 17, 2025
